Hi Griffin and welcome to the forum and also to your new hobby!
The first thing to note is that there is a massive industry trying to get you to buy the lightest and the best in everything from jackets to gloves, try to resist the temptation where you can.
Socks, another for bridgedale or smartwool, there are loads of different options within these, but a midweight hiking sock should suit most purposes.
I also like the Montane Terra trousers, and also the Salomon Wayfarer trousers, but craghopper, columbia, etc are all good too. The most important thing is finding a pair that fit you well. Use the sales to find a bargain.
Waterproof jacket - there are many to choose from and many different types of waterproof barrier, from the Paramo directional "pump", to conventional barriers like goretex, neoshell, eVent, and many proprietary brands suchs as marmots memBrain system. My advice is to get one that fits and suits your purpose.
In the race to save weight a lot of jackets have moved to an "alpine" cut, which is basically a high waist cut which doesn't cover your nether regions, which can get a good soaking in the rain, so I prefer a longer jacket. And preferable something lightweight and easy to stow in your backpack for when its too warm to wear it as barrier type jackets can trap in sweat when you are working hard, so if its not needed, you'll want to stow it. Loads of products out there, but aim for the sales and try a few on until you find something that fits you and covers your nads.
But you might want a thin windproof jacket to keep the wind chill off you. these are not waterproof, but offer a bit of protection against light rain, they are a lot more breathable than waterproofs and they can be very light as its just a layer to keep wind off. Aim for something like a running jacket, with or without the hood that are very light but breathable.
Warmth - keep the fleece for now. there are lots and lots of deals on down or synthetic fibres around now, but you need your waterproofs first.
Waterproof overtrousers, something like Berghaus deluges are ok, something with a long or even full length zipper will let you get them on easier when the heavens open and you need to don them quickly.
Base layers - anything that isn't cotton will do, so look at cheap running gear or to the sales. I have a mixture of long sleaves and short sleeves depending on the weather, so if its windy, I'll tend to wear long sleeves so I can avoid putting the windshirt / windjacket on for as long as possible.
Hat and gloves and buff. Hat - a light beanie will cover most situations. Gloves, I tend to go for a lightweight waterproof glove, or a windproof glove. In the autumn or winter you can invest in thicker gloves. A buff - get a proper one as the imitations are not as good, they can be used in many different conditions and they are great.
Something to put it all in. If you are doing mostly day walks, then I'd suggest something around 30ish litres, basically something that will hold your waterproofs, windproofs, fleece, hat & gloves, camera, water and food. I like the Osprey Talon 33, its very lightweight and holds a tremendous amount of gear, but there are others on the market. You don't need ones with loads of pockets everywhere, these add weight and are also something else that can go wrong. Try to buy one with a built in rain cover.
Maps, compass, and the knowledge to use them are vital too.